The National Board for safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church
in Ireland (NBSCCCI), which oversees the implementation of child
protection guidelines in the Catholic Church in Ireland, has confirmed
that the contract of its Chief Executive Ian Elliott will end in June
2013 when Mr Elliott reaches his 65th birthday.
It is unclear what if any role Mr Elliott will remain in beyond that date.
In a statement the NBSCCCI said, “The board will engage in
discussions and examine with Mr Elliott whether and how his work with
the board can continue beyond that people.” It continued, “We would
like to make it clear that the board has not been subject to any
pressures in this regard.”
The board also confirmed that it will not be discussing the matter any further while such discussions are ongoing.
The NBSCCCI was established in 2006 and is funded by the Irish
Catholic Bishops, The Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish
missionary Union.
Through the NBSCCCI these three bodies have worked
towards a unified approach to child protection across Ireland.
Mr Elliott who had previously worked in child protection in Northern
Ireland, was appointed as its first Chief Executive in 2007. Under his
remit the NBSCCCI has a threefold purpose, namely to advise the Irish
Bishop's Conference, The Conference of Religious in Ireland and the
Irish Missionary Union on best practice relating to child protection
policies and procedures.
The board is also charged with developing policies and procedures, to
guide all constituent members of the Church, in the direction of best
practice in safeguarding children.
The board is also responsible for
monitoring practice in the various parts of the Church, through
processes of audit and review.